The town of Washington
comprises the territory designed on the government survey as congressional
township 3 north, range 7 east. It is bounded on the north by the
town of New Glarus, on the east by Mount Pleasant, on the south by Monroe,
and on the west by Adams. This town embraces 22,870.80 acres of land
which it is stated 22,858 acres are farming lands. The value of farming
lands is assessed at $12.58 and the total represents the assessed value
of real estate in the town, while this together with the personal property
amounts to $411,620. The population of the town in 1875 was 870;
in 1880, 882. The principal farm products of this town grown during
the year 1882 were as follows: 2,684 bushels of wheat; 78,510 bushels of
corn; 70,003 bushels oats; 852 bushels barley; 671 bushels rye; 4,812 bushels
potatoes; 590 bushels root crops; 2,898 bushels apples; 22 bushels clover
seed; 37 bushels timothy seed. There were 25,465 pounds of butter;
267,550 ponds of cheese, and 3,787 tons of hay made. The acreage
of the principal farm products grown in 1883 was as follows: 260 acres
wheat; 3,130 corn; 2,321 of oats; 70 of barley; 72 ½ of rye; 76
of potatoes; 100 ½ of apple orchard; 2,556 bearing apple trees;
4,150 acres grasses; 4,130 acres growing timber. In 1883 there were
1,727 milch cows in the town, valued at $41,120; 2,955 head of cattle;
assessed value, $19.70, total value, $58,221; 458 head of horses; assessed
value, $52.29, total value, $23,945; 4 mules, assessed value, $70, total
value, $280; 863 sheep, assessed value $2, total value, $ 1,726; 1,977
swine, assessed value $5.75, total value, $11,369.

EARLY SETTLEMENT

Washington was
first settled in 1837. The honor of being the pioneer belongs to
Josiah
Pierce, who was originally from Massachusetts, but came direct from
the State of New York to Madison, Wis., in the spring of 1837. The
State capitol had just been commenced and Mr. Pierce had been engaged to
board the workmen. Wisconsin had only been a Territory for a little
over a year and Madison was a mere hamlet. In the following November,
Mr. Pierce removed to a cabin which he had built during the summer on section
13, in what is now the town of Washington. Here he remained until
the time of his death. The next settler
in the town was Noah Phelps, a native of the State of New York.
Prior to the Black Hawk War he had helped to survey Green county, and after
finishing his work he returned to his eastern home expecting to bring his
family to Wisconsin in 1837. Mr. Phelps states that he was almost
ready to start in May, when specie payment was suspended by the banks.
Government land could only be bought with coin and as all his money was
in bank notes, he was obligated to wait. When specie payment was
resumed in May, he was still ready, and started, and in June, 1838, he
made the second settlement within the limits now comprising the town of
Washington. He settled with his family on section 24, and remained
. . .

p.1128

. . . for a few years, then moved
to Monroe, and still lives near that city.Asel Smith
came here from Michigan in 1842, and made a claim on section 7. He
remained but a few years, then sold out and returned to his former home. Hiram Bane
came from Ohio in 1844, and claimed the southwest quarter of section 1.
In 1848 he sold his claim to Fred Streif, and bought forty acres
on the northwest quarter of the same section. In 1850 he sold out
and went to California, where he froze to death in the winter of 1852-3. Samuel Holloway,
a native of Maryland, came in 1844, and made a claim on section 22.
He was a blacksmith by trade, the first in town. He remained here
two years, when he sold his claim and removed to Monroe. Later he
went to Richland county, where he died in 1855. Jarvis Rattan,
a native of Illinois, came to Green county as early as 1836, and entered
land now included within the limits of the city of Monroe. He was
a single man when he came, and he kept “bach” for two years in a little
log house that stood between Bridge’s block and the spring. In 1838
he was married to a daughter of Josiah Pierce. He sold out
at about this time, and settled in the southeastern corner of the town
of Monroe and lived there until 1844, when he removed to the town of Washington,
locating on the southeast quarter of section 24. In 1854 he sold
out and moved to Charles City, Iowa, where he built a saw mill and engaged
at farming. Three years later he returned to Green county, settling
on section 21, in the town of Mount Pleasant. A few years later he
sold his farm to the county, and soon afterward removed to San Joaquin
Co., Cal., where he still lives.Jared Fessenden,
a native of Chautauqua Co., N.Y., and a brick-maker by trade, came to Green
county in 1837, and located in Monroe. He spent the summer making
brick, and the winter in the pineries. In 1844 he was married to
a daughter of Josiah Pierce, and settled in the town of Washington,
on section 25. He improved a farm and lived there until his death
in 1880. His family now live in Cloud Co., Kansas.James
Crouch came in 1844. He lived near Monroe until 1847, then located
in this town on section 22. He has since died. Two of his sons
now reside on section 22.James Crouch
was born in Virginia, June 13, 1801. He moved to Ohio when a young
man, and settled in Ross county, where he was married to Nancy Thomas,
also a native of Virginia. They remained in Ohio twelve years, then
removed to Lafayette, Ind., where he engaged in running a ferry boat across
the Wabash river, which he continued two years. He then moved to
Warren county and bought land near Independence, where he improved a farm
and remained until 1844. In that year he started, in company with
three other families, for the Territory of Wisconsin. They traveled
with teams, bringing their household goods with them, and camped on the
way. He first settled three miles south of Monroe, where he bought
eighty acres of land, and lived three years. He then traded for land
on section 22, of the town of Washington, to which he removed in the fall
of 1847. He built a log house which was his home for several years,
when he built a frame house, in which he lived until the time of his death,
March 10, 1873. Mrs. Crouch died April 10, 1881. Five children
were born to them, four of whom are now living—William R., Martha,
now the wife of James Waite, of Iowa; Samuel T. and Elizabeth,
wife of John Gange, living in Dakota. It was mainly due to
Mr. Crouch’s efforts that the M.E. Church was established in the town of
Washington. He also took an interest in the cause of education, and
was influential in establishing a good school in the town.Samuel T.
Crouch, son of James Crouch, was born in Lafayette, Ind., Dec. 6, 1834,
and was in his tenth year when he came to Green county with his parents,
where he attended the pioneer . . .

p.1129

school and assisted his father in
clearing a farm. He was married in 1859 to Amelia Marshall, a native of
New York. At the time of his marriage he settled upon land which he had
previously purchased, and began housekeeping in a log house. In 1861 he
sold his farm to take charge of his father’s place, and has since resided
on the old homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Crouch have five children—Albert, Alma
E., Libbie, Arthur and Josiah.William R. Crouch, eldest son of
James and Nancy (Thomas) Crouch, was born in Fayette Co., Ohio, Oct. 14,
1824, and was ten years old when his parents moved to Indiana. He remained
with them there and in Green county until 1851, when he was married March
5, to Mary Virtue, a native of Richland Co., Ohio, born Jan. 14, 1834.
He then settled on his present farm on section 22, of the town of Washington.
He had purchased the land two and a half years before, and erected a small
frame house, to which he has since built an addition. They have ten children—Emanuel
F., Louisa, James, Argalas, Elizabeth, John Wesley, Ella F., Thomas, Charlie
and Mary Etta.Alexander Sires, a native of Ohio,
arrived here in 1844, and settled on the northeast quarter of section 28.
In 1853 he sold out and removed to Richland county, locating in the town
of Henrietta. He there platted a village called Siresville, but it did
not flourish. He is now dead.In 1845 John L. Perrine came and
settled on section 25. His son now occupies the farm, while he lives in
Monroe.William C. Perrine, son of John
L. and Eliza (Gordon) Perrine, was born in Jefferson Co., N.Y., July 11,
1836, and was ten years old when be came to Green county with his parents,
who first settled in Monroe, where they remained three years, then removed
to the town of Washington. Here William spent his youth in attending the
district school and assisting his father on the farm. He was married in
1861 to Clarissa Gist, and settled on the old homestead.

His wife died in March, 1868, leaving
one child—Addie. He was again married in February, 1870, to Helen, daughter
of Joseph and Permelia (Spencer) Brayton, early settlers of the town of
Exeter. Mr. and Mrs. Perrine have two children—Charlie and Laura.Charlton J. Simmons, one of the
pioneers of Green county, is a native of North Carolina, born in Green
county, June 1, 1819. When he was thirteen years old, his parents emigrated
to Illinois, and stopped for a short time in Lawrence county, then went
to Crawford county where they were early settlers. His father bought land
and
commenced to improve a farm, and make a home for his family, but he died
in April, 1834. The following February, Mrs. Simmons also died, leaving
seven children, the subject of this sketch being the eldest, and upon him
devolved the care of the family. Soon after his mother’s death, the farm
and stock were disposed of in such a manner that the children realized
but $10 each, from the proceeds. Charlton J. went to work for a Methodist
minister in Lawrence county, with whom he continued one year. The first
ten months he received $5 per month, and the last two, $10 per month. He
saved the money and loaned it to a man who ran away and never paid it.
He continued to work at farming in the neighborhood until 1840. He was
married March 12 of that year, to Mary Allison, who was born in May, 1823,
in Lawrence county. After marriage he rented a farm on Allison Prairie,
in Russellville, Lawrence county. In 1842 he took the produce which he
had raised the previous year; loaded it on to a flat boat, and went down
the river to New Orleans where he disposed of it. In 1844 he again went
down the river with his produce, this time disposing of it at the mouth
of the Arkansas river. In April, 1845, he came to Wisconsin and settled
in Green county. He rented land that is now included in the village of
Monroe, and bought twenty acres of winter wheat of Robert Kirkendall, which
yielded thirty

p. 1130

bushels per acre. In 1845 he pre-empted
the northeast quarter of section 35, township 3 north, of range 1 east,
now known as the town of Washington. He built a frame house upon this land
and settled there in the fall of that year. The following spring he wished
to enter forty acres on section 26, and in order to obtain the money to
pay for it, he drew oats, with a team, to Janesville, where he sold them
for six and a fourth cents per bushel, and the amount received lacked $2
of the sum required to pay for the land. He then sold three large yearling
calves at $3 a piece, making enough money to pay his expenses to Mineral
Point and enter his land. In 1847 he went to the pineries on the Wisconsin,
and engaged in the lumber business, buying manufactured lumber, which he
rafted down the river and sold at different points. The first wheat that
be raised upon his farm, he drew to Milwaukee and sold for thirty-seven
and a half cents per bushel. He bought groceries and provisions, which
he drew to the pineries, a distance of 200 miles, and there disposed of
them to the lumbermen. He was engaged in the lumber trade seven years,
after which he devoted his time to the improvement of his farm, which at
one time contained 1,100 acres. He engaged in the cattle business, and
during the war dealt in horses, many of which he shipped to Chicago and
sold to the government. He also engaged in breeding fine cattle and horses.
He bought one horse in Kentucky which be sold for $1,800. In 1882 he met
with an irreparable loss in the death of his wife, which occurred on the
28th of March, that year. He has fourteen children living—William, Caroline,
Charles, Mary, George, Lida, Lucinda, Charlton J., Edward and Edgar, twins;
Flora, Eva, Ida and Albert.Samuel Allison, a native born Kentuckian,
arrived in the county in 1844. In 1846 he came to the town of Washington
and located on section 36. In 1856 he disposed of his farm and removed
to Charles City, Iowa, where he soon died.James Lang came here in about 1845
and settled on the northeast quarter of section 9. He lived there for several
year, then sold out and left. He was a Mormon.

John Hendrickson, a native of Indiana,
also came in 1846. He settled on the northeast quarter of section 27, and
built a log cabin near the spring. He lived there for a few years, then
sold out and returned to Indiana.Gabriel Lang, a native of Indiana,
came in 1846 and located on the northwest quarter of section 21. He remained
but a few years.Barney Becker, a native of the State
of New York, came in 1845, and spent one year in Monroe. In 1846 he settled
on the southwest quarter of section 25. He improved a farm and lived there
several years, when he sold out and moved to Monroe, where he died a short
time later.In 1846, Elijah Roby, a native of
Virginia, came from Ohio and entered the northeast quarter of section 2.
He had been a stone mason, but devoted his time to farming. He took a great
interest in town affairs, and was the first chairman of the board, hold
that office for several years, as well as other offices of trust. In 1881
he sold out and moved to Evansville, where he now resides.Mr. Kirkpatrick, a blacksmith, came
in 1846 and settled on the northwest quarter of section 21.He sold, in
1849, to P. J. Miller, and went to Iowa.Elias Wright, of Indiana, arrived
here in 1846, and settled on the northwest quarter of section 22. A few
years afterward he sold out and removed to Iowa.Oswald Blum, a native of Switzerland,
came here in 1847 and bought twenty acres on the southwest quarter of section
2. He made his home there until the time of his death.Caspar Baker, another Swiss, came
the same year and entered land on the northeast quarter of section 10,
where he now lives.William Tucker, an Englishman, came
in 1847, and located on section 22. In 1853 he sold to Argalus Loveland
and removed to Chickasaw Co., Iowa, where he now lives

p.1131

Emanuel Wissemiller, a native of
Switzerland, came from Ohio, in 1848, and settled on section 17, where
he entered 160 acres of land. Here he erected a log cabin and lived until
the time of his death. His son, Jacob, now occupies the old homestead.Fred Swickey, a native of Switzerland,
came in 1847 and bought land on the northwest quarter of section 12. He
improved a farm and lived until his death, in 1883.Adam Blumer, a Swiss, came in 1849
and entered 240 acres of land on sections 8, 9 and 10.He improved a large
farm and lived there until the time of his death. He was born in the canton
of Glarus, Switzerland, Nov. 6, 1798. He was reared on a dairy farm where
he learned the art of cheese making. He was married in October, 1829, to
Margaret Blum, who was born in the canton of Glarus, in November, 1805.
In 1849, they left their native land for America, taking passage in a sailing
vessel to New York, where they arrived after a voyage of twenty-four days.
They proceeded up the Hudson river to Albany, thence, by way of the Erie
canal to Buffalo, where they took passage on the lakes to Milwaukee. There
he hired teams to bring them to Monroe. He entered 240 acres of land on
sections 8, 9 and 16, of the town of Washington, and built a log house
on the southwest quarter of section 9. He purchased two pairs of oxen and
immediately commenced improving the land. The first spring he bought five
cows, from which they made butter and cheese. He engaged in grain and stock
raising and resided here until the time of his death, which occurred in
January, 1855. He left a widow and five children—Jacob, Magdalena, Elsbeth,
Catharine and Adam. Jacob lives at Sioux City, where he works at his trade,
as carpenter and joiner; Magdalena is the wife of John Baltzly, and lives
in Illinois; Elsbeth died in 1866; Catharine is the wife of Jacob Hefty,
of Monroe. Adam was born April 1, 1844, and was five years old when he
came to Green county. He

was reared and educated in the town
of Washington. March 23, 1865, he was married to Margaret Hefty, who was
born in the canton of Glarus, Switzerland, July 7, 1844. They settled at
the time of their marriage, on the old homestead, which they now occupy.
He has purchased more land, and now owns 476 acres. He has two large barns
and a good frame house. In 1868 he commenced making cheese, keeping at
that time, twenty cows. He now keeps seventy-five cows and continues to
manufacture cheese. Mr. and Mrs. Blumer have seven children—Rosana, Mary,
Catharine, Adam, Emma, Fredolin and Jacob.Daniel and James Hilton, natives
of Maine, came in 1850. Daniel entered laud on sections 5 and 6, where
he improved a farm and lived a few years, then lived in Brooklyn several
years, after which he moved to Missouri. He now lives in Pocahontas Co.,
Iowa. James entered land on section 7, where he lived five or six years,
when he sold out and removed to the town of York, where he still lives.Andrew Harper, a settler of 1851,
was born on the North Shetland Island, Nov. 28, 1828. When he was thirteen
years old he emigrated to America and settled in Leroy, Genesee Co.,N. Y., where he lived until 1846,
then came to the Territory of Wisconsin and stopped temporarily five miles
east of Janesville and in January 1847 removed to Spring Valley, Rock county,
in which town his father entered land and improved a farm, and is now living
at the age of seventy-nine years. The subject of this sketch made his home
there with his parents until 1853. On the 22d of February of that year
he was married to Agnes Halcrow who was born on North Shetland Island.
In January, 1852, he came to Green county and entered land on section 27,
town of Washington, locating the same with a land warrant for which he
had traded in Rock county, paying for the same a pair of oxen and
a wagon, with $60 in

p.1132

money. He then had left, one pair
of oxen and $20 in money, which constituted his entire earthly possessions.
The following March after marriage he came to the town of Washington, but
not having means with which to improve his land, he rented land on section
21 for three years. He had good crops and there made some money with which
to start improvements on his own land. In 1855 he built a frame house 14x22,
and moved during the fall of that year and immediately commenced work on
the land and was in a few years able to buy more land. He now owns 360
acres, the greater portion of which is improved and under fence. Mrs. Harper
died May 5, 1874. Twelve children were born to them, eleven of whom are
now living—Robert, Libbie, Malcolm J., Susan, Agnes, Andrew, Tena, Thomas,
Jane, Hine J. and William. Mr. Harper joined the Presbyterian Church in
York State, but since coming to Wisconsin has worshiped with the Methodist
Episcopal organization, of which Church his wife and nine of her children
were members.Joseph and Gustavus Hilton, natives
of Maine, came in 1851. Joseph had a land warrant which he located on sections
5 and 8. He improved a farm and lived here until the spring of 1884, when
he sold out and settled in Lyon Co., Iowa. Gustavus entered 100 acres of
land on sections 6 and 7. He now lives on section 6.Gustavus Hilton, fifth son of John
and Lucinda (Williams) Hilton. was born in the town of Embden, Somerset
Co., Maine, Jan. 17, 1828. His younger days were spent upon a farm in his
native town, and he obtained his education in the public schools. He remained
with his parents until twenty-one years old. He then engaged in farming
in the neighborhood during the summer seasons, and in lumbering during
the winters, and running logs down the Kennebec river in the spring. In
1851 he came to Wisconsin, traveling by rail to Buffalo, thence on the
lakes to Detroit, crossed Michigan by rail, crossing Lake Michigan to Milwaukee,
where he employed a

farmer by the name of Webb, (who
resided near Decatur, Green county but who happened to be in Milwaukee
at the time) to bring him to Monroe. He entered land on sections 6 and
7, of the town of Washington, but made his home with his brother, Joseph,
until 1857. He was married in February of the following year to Sarah Maria
Presher, a native of Tioga Co., N. Y. He erected a frame house on the southwest
quarter of section 6. He has cleared and improved seventy-five acres of
land, and now owns 180 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Hilton have seven children—Emma
A., Elroy B., Marcellus E., Herbert W., Millie L., Lorrin L. and Daisy
B. In 1854 Mr. Hilton’s parents came to Washington and bought land on section
8, on which they lived two years, then sold and returned to Maine, where
Mr. Hilton died in 1874. He was born in Wiscasset, Maine, in March, 1786.
At the age of twenty years he went to sea, and sailed before the mast seven
years. He then abandoned the sea and was married to Lucinda Williams, also
a native of Wiscasset, born April 17, 1789. They settled at Stark, Franklin
Co., Maine. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. He afterwards bought land
in Embden, Somerset county, where they resided until 1854, when, as before
stated, they came to Green county. On his return to Maine he lived in the
town of Embden with his daughter, until the time of his death. His widow
now lives with her son, James, in the town of York, and although ninety-five
years old, is still in the enjoyment of good health. Eleven children were
born to them, nine of whom reached maturity.James Gaines, a native of “Bonnie
Scotland” and a veteran of the Mexican War, came from the town of Exeter
in 1853, and bought land on the northeast quarter of section 23. About
1877 he sold out and moved to Nebraska, where he still lives.The records of the first town meeting
were destroyed, but we learn that the following officers were elected at
a town meeting held in James Long’s house in April, 1849: Elijah

p. 1133

Roby, chairman ;Peter Wilson and
James Crouch side board; William Tucker, town clerk; A. H. Pierce, assessor;
and Frank Pierce, superintendent of schools.At the, election held in the Bloomer
school house, district No. 6, on April 1, 1884, the following officers
were elected: Andrew Harper, chairman; S. T. Clayton and Thomas Hefty,
side board; Thomas Lemon, clerk; John Baumgartner, assessor; he refused
to serve, and Henry Hefty was appointed by the board to fill vacancy; A.
Loveland, treasurer and justice of the peace.EDUCATIONAL.The first school house in district
No. 3 was erected in 1854. It was a stone building, located on the northwest
quarter of section 9. Mary Hutchison was the first teacher. In 1882 a frame
house was erected on the old site, in which Kate Wescott taught the first
school.The first school in district No.
1 was taught by John Brown in a log house in the winter of 1848—9. The
house was situated on the north line of the southwest quarter of section
22. During the following fall the first school house in the town was built
on the southwest quarter of section 22. B. T. Hancock was the first teacher
in this house. The house was built of logs furnished by the citizens, who
also erected the same. The present building was erected in 1868, and is
a neat frame structure, situated on the site of the old one. Lorain Marshall
was the first teacher in this house.The first school taught in district
No. 2 was in Jarvis Rattan’s house, in 1851. Mary A. Sutherland, of the
town of Sylvester, was the teacher. She received $2 per week for her services,
but was taken sick and died before her term had expired. School was afterward
taught in Frank Pierce’s house. In 1854 a school house was erected on the
northeast corner of the northeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section
25. Louisa A. Tilson taught the first term of school in this house. The
present building was erected in 1871. It is situated on the northwest quarter
of section 36. Lydia Shake, now the wife of William Bailey, was the first
teacher in that house.The first school house in district
No. 4 was erected in 1850. The people of the neighborhood turned out and
drew the logs together, some furnishing one and others three and four logs.
Then a “bee” was held and the house was put up. Edwin Noble was the first
teacher. This house was located on section 2, and was used until the present
one was erected.The first school in district No.
6 was taught by Mrs. James Lang, in her husband’s house on the northeast
quarter of section 9. This was in 185 1 The following year a log school
house was erected on the south line of section 9, in which Emily Lamars
taught the first school. The log school house was used until 1870 when
a frame building was erected near the center of section 9.The first school in district No.
8 was taught by Mrs. William Fleury, in her husband’s house in 1856. During
the same year a log house was built on the northeast quarter of section
19. Phoenix Bennett taught the first school in this house. In 1874 a small
frame building was erected on the old site, in which Annie McCurry taught
the first term school.RELIGIOUS.In an early day the people met for
worship in the school house on section 9. the pulpit was supplied by preachers
from Monroe among whom were Revs. Snell, Smead, Hagerman, Angelberger and
Fotsch. Rev. Hirz is the present pastor. In 1876 a neat frame church building
was erected on the northwest quarter of section 21. Rev. Fotsch was the
first to preach in this church. The first trustee was Christian Isley.
There is a flourishing Sabbath school in connection with this Church, of
which Christian Isley is superintendent.The first Methodist Episcopal meetings
were held at the house of Alexander Sires, in the winter of 1847—8, by
Rev. Allen. A class was organized with the following members: James

p. 1134

Crouch and wife; Alexander Sires
and wife; Elias Wright and wife; David Sires and wife, and Jacob Ashley
and wife James Crouch was appointed class leader. For a short time the
class met at the school house, and later, at the house of James Crouch,
for some years, when they again met in the school house. In 1874 they erected
a church on the southwest quarter of section 26. It is a neat frame structure,
painted white. The following are the pastors who have had charge of the
Church:Revs. Dudgeon, Hurd, Fancher, Lake,
Walker, Rupel, Allen, Lewis, Semple, Knox, Briggs, Burnip and Haight. The
latter being the pastor at the present time. Elder Crouch preached the
dedicatory sermon. A Sabbath school is connected with the Church. Thomas
Lemon is superintendent.The first services in this town,
of the Immanuel Church of the Evangelical Association of North America,
were held by Rev. Leonard Buhler, of the town of Sylvester, in 1869, on
the occasion of the funeral of Jacob Zum Brunnen. Rev. Buhler organized
a class, and meetings were held in the school house until the church was
built. The church is a neat frame structure, situated on the northeast
quarter of the southwest quarter of section 21.FIRST MARRIAGE.The first marriage in the town was
Hiram Rust and Maria Pierce, at the residence of the bride’s parents, in
1838, by Joseph Kelly, justice of the peace. Mr. Rust is now dead. His
widow lives in Kansas.PROMINENT CITIZENS.Among the prominent citizens of
the town of Washington, are the following, of whom we give biographical
sketches: an early settler of Green county, was a native of Centre Co.,
Penn., born in 1802. He was there married to Sarah Gunsallus, who was born
in the same county, in 1815. He was a weaver by trade, which occupation
he followed in Centre county, until 1843. He then came to Wisconsin and
spent one

year in Lafayette county, then came
to Green county. He rented a farm, one year, in the town of Sylvester,
then went to New Glarus and bought government land on section 35, where
he built a log cabin and cleared a portion of the land. He died in that
town, June 14, 1854, leaving a wife and six children—James, Catharine,
William, Thomas, Amanda and Maria. The family continued to live in New
Glarus for a number of years, and made considerable improvement upon the
farm, but they are now scattered. James lives in Custer Co., Neb; Catharine
is dead; William and Thomas reside in Washington; Amanda is the wife of
Jacob North, and living in Chase Co., Kansas. Maria is the wife of Frank
Loveland. Thomas was born in the town of Sylvester, Dec. 15, 1845. He grew
to manhood in New Glarus, and in May, 1872, was married to Eminah Loveland,
daughter of Argalus and Jane (Orwing) Loveland. They went to Nebraska and
bought a farm in York county, where they remained four years, then returned
to Green county and bought a farm on sections 27 and 22, of Washington,
upon which was a large barn with a stone basement, and also a cheese factory.
In 1883 he built a commodious frame house. He keeps a dairy of twenty cows.
Mr. and Mrs. Lemon have one child—Eddie Elgin. Mr. Lemon was elected to
the office of town clerk, in 1882, and has been twice re-elected. He has
also been supervisor.William Lemon, son of Thomas and
Sarah Lemon, was born in Centre Co., Penn., Dec. 13, 1841. He was quite
young when his parents came to Green county. He grew to manhood in this
county, and on the 31st of August, 1864, enlisted in the 35th Wisconsin,
company D. He first went to Tennessee, then to Arkansas, then to Alabama,
where he engaged in the siege and capture of Mobile. He then went to Texas,
thence to New Orleans, where he was discharged in July, 1865. He returned
home, and in October, 1869, was united in marriage with Rebecca Willis.
She was born in Coshocton Co., Ohio, and is a daughter of Solomon and

p.1135

Lavina Willis, pioneers of Green
county. He had been making his home with his mother, on the old homestead,
but on his marriage he settled on land he had previously purchased on section
14. He has since bought land on section 23, and has erected a good set
of frame buildings. They have four children—Jesse, Ethlen, William and
Myrtie.

part ofp. 1135

Samuel
Holloway, a pioneer of Green county, was born in Worchester Co., Md.,
in 1799. He was there married, to Mahala Godfrey, also a native
of Maryland. In 1835 they removed to Illinois, and were early settlers
in Schuyler county, where he worked at his trade as blacksmith in the town
of Brooklyn. They remained there until 1844, when they came to Green
county, and took a claim on section 22, township 3, range 7 east, now known
as Washington. Two years later, he traded that land for a claim in
Monroe, where he lived until 1852. He then went to Richland county
and settled in Rockbridge. He died in that town, two years later.
He was twice married. His first wife died in 1848, leaving ten children,
eight of whom are now living. He was again married in 1850, and by
this union had one child, who now lives in Rockbridge, Richland county.

Ara
S. Holloway, eldest son of Samuel and Mahala (Godfrey) Holloway,
was born Maryland, Nov. 13, 1823. In his youth he in learned the
blacksmith trade. He remained with his parents until 1848, when he was
married to Rebecca Rice, a native of Indiana, and settled in Monroe,
where he opened a shop and worked at his trade three years. He then
removed to Monticello and engaged in the same business, which he continued
until 1878. In that year he sold out, and bought a farm on section
35, of the town of Washington. He has built a shop upon his farm
and carries on blacksmithing in connection with farming. His first
wife died ten months after marriage. He was again married to Emiline
Rice, a sister of his former wife, who died eleven years later.
His third wife was Ann Gates, who lived but two and a half years
after marriage. He was afterwards married to Harriet N. Jones.
The second Mrs. Holloway left two children--Jane and Thomas.
The present Mrs. Holloway has one child--Ara C.

John
Baumgartner, son of Anton and Magdalena Baumgartner,
early settlers of Green county, was born in the canton of Glarus, Switzerland,
Aug. 9, 1838. He was nine years of age when his parents came to America
and settled in Green county, where he grew to manhood. He attended
school in his native country, and also in the pioneer schools of Washington.
In 1862 he bought the northeast quarter of section 21, on which he built
a log house and kept "bach," until 1865. He was married January 19
of that year, to Anna Hefty, also a native of the canton of Glarus,
born March 6, 1846. He continued to occupy the log house until 1882,
when he erected a large frame house. He has also built a large barn,
with a stone basement, a granary 16x26 feet, and a stable of the same dimensions.
He is engaged in raising grain and stock. Mr. and Mrs. Baumgartner
have nine children--Magdalena, Anna, Mary, Lydia, Herman A., Richard
J., Reuben H., Otto M. and Bertha J.

Thomas
Hefty, son of Fredolin and Rosanna Hefty, pioneers of
Green county, was born March 15, 1846, and was one year old when he came
to America with his parents. He grew to manhood in the town of Washington,
receiving his education in the district schools. He was married Feb.
16, 1871, to Barbara Kundert, a native of the town of New Glarus,
and daughter of Rudolph and Elsbeth Kundert, early settlers
in that town. He settled then upon the homestead with his parents,
on section 4, of the town of Washington, where he still resides.
He has a large frame house and a frame barn, 40x72 feet, also a stone barn,
34x44 feet. His farm contains 400 acres, and he is extensively engaged
in raising grain and stock, also keeps a large dairy. Mr. and Mrs.
Hefty have three children--Fridolin K., born Sept. 20, 1871; Elsbeth
K., born Dec. 27, 1873, and Rosina K., born March 4, 1877.

p. 1136

Elsbeth K., born Dec. 27, 1873, and
Rosina K., born March 4, 1877.

Jacob Burgy,
one of the pioneers of New Glarus, was born in the canton of Glarus, Switzerland,
March 9, 1794, and died in the town of Washington, Dec. 12, 1874. In his
youth he was employed in a cotton factory, and also in gardening in his
native country. He was married to Barbara Holsy, and they had one son—Jacob.
In 1847 they started, April 1, for America, and arrived in New York city
after a voyage of fifty-seven days. They came directly to Green county,
traveling by steamer to Albany, thence by canal to Buffalo, where they
embarked upon the lakes and came to Milwaukee. There he hired a team for
$25 to bring them to Green county. They stopped for a few days in New Glarus,
with a friend named Holsy, who lived on the present site of the village
of New Glarus. Mr. Burgy then bought a claim on section 1, of Charles Parkin,
and entered forty acres. There was a log cabin upon the claim, into which
they moved, also ten acres of winter wheat and seven acres of corn growing.
The wheat yielded 308 bushels, the most of which he had ground at the Attica
mills and sold the flour to the people in the neighborhood. After the wheat
had been gathered from the field the children in the neighborhood went
into the field and gathered up the scattering heads of wheat which was
ground into flour. Mr. Burgy soon after entered eighty acres adjoining
his first entry. He cleared a good farm and resided here until 1862. He
then bought a house and lot in the village of New Glarus, where he lived
until the death of his wife, June 28, 1873, then went to live with his
son, with whom he remained until his death. Their only son, Jacob, was
born in the canton of Glarus, Switzerland, Jan. 15, 1837, and was ten years
old when he came to Green county, where he assisted his father in clearing
the farm. He was married July 1, 1858, to Barbara Luchsinger, daughter
of John and Barbara (Wilde) Luchsinger. She was born in the canton of Glarus,
Switzerland, Jan. 23, 1842. They settled on the homestead farm, where he
built a large barn with a stone basement, and lived until 1872. He then
rented the homestead and bought a farm of 124 acres in the town of Washington.
He has since purchased land adjoining, and now has 310 acres in one body.
There was a stone house upon this farm, which he now occupies, having enlarged
it by a frame addition. In 1879 he built a barn, 34x56 feet, with eighteen
foot posts and having a stone basement. He raises grain and stock, paying
particular attention to the raising of fine blooded horses. Mr. and Mrs.
Burgy are the parents of nine children—Barbara, Rosa, Julia, Amelia, Jacob,
Louisa, Carrie, Olive and Herman.

Samuel P.
Clayton was born in Bourbon Co., Ky., June 22, 182 5. When he was but an
infant his parents moved to Illinois and settled in Crawford county, where
they were early settlers. His father bought timberland, improved a farm
and lived there until the time of his death. The subject of this sketch
there grew to manhood. When he was fourteen years old his father died,
and two years later his mother was again married. He then started out for
himself and went to Lawrence county, and there he found employment on a
farm. He was there married, when he was eighteen years old, to Elizabeth
Simmons, who was born in Green Co., N. C. They located in Crawford county
and remained one year, then lived on a claim in Lawrence county two years,
then moved to Richland county and rented land for two years. In 1848 they
came to this county and spent the first winter at Monroe. He was there
engaged in mining, and in teaming to the pineries, a distance of 200 miles.
In the spring of 1849 he moved to Washington and engaged in mining two
years, then returned to Lawrence county and rented a farm one year, then
came back to the town of Washington and bought a claim of forty acres on
the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 34, and subsequently
entered the land. There was a small frame house on the

part ofp.1136

Samuel
T. Clayton was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, June 22nd,1825. When
he was but an infant, his parents moved to Illinois and settled in Crawford
County, where they were early settlers. His father bought timberland,improved
a farm, and lived there until the time of his death. The subject
of this sketch there grew to manhood. When he was fourteenyears old, his father died, and
two years later his mother was again married. He then started out
for himself and went to Lawrence County, and there he found employment
on a farm. He was there married when he was eighteen years old, to Elizabeth
Simmons, who was born in Greene County, N.C. They located in Crawford
County and remained one year, then lived on a claim in Lawrence County
two years, then moved to Richland County and rented land for two years.
In 1848 they came to this county and spent the first winter at Monroe.
He was there engaged in mining, and in teaming to the pineries, a distance
of 200 miles. In the spring of 1849 he moved to Washington and engaged
in mining two years, then returned to Lawrence County and rented a farm
one year, then came back to the Town of Washington and bought a claim of
fortyacres on the northeast quarter of
the northeast quarter of section 34, and subsequently entered the land.
There was a small frame house on the place at the time. He did but little
work on his land but engaged in mining and carpentering two years, thenpaid attention to farming, He now
owns 140 acres and is engaged in raising stock and grain. Mr. Clayton and
wife are members of the M.E.Church. (Transcribed by
Cynthia
Claytonroberts )

p. 1137

place at the time. He did but little
work on his land but engaged in mining and carpentering two years, then
paid attention to farming. He now owns 140 acres and is engaged in raising
stock and grain. They have eight children living—Mary E., Sarah C., George,
Libbie, Nettie, Samuel T., William and Myrtle. Mary E. is the wife of Anton
Baumgartner; Sarah C. married John W. Bailey; Libbie is married to Jacob
Baumgartner. Mr. Clayton and wife are members of the M. E. Church.Anton Baumgartner, a pioneer of
1848, was born in the canton of Glarus, Switzerland, in November, 1812.
There he was reared to agricultural pursuits. When a young man he learned
the blacksmith trade, which he followed in his native country until 1848.
He made the voyage to America in a sailing vessel, landed at New Orleans
and proceeded up the Mississippi river to Galena, where he hired a team
with which to complete the journey to Green county. He settled in the town
of Washington, moving into a log house owned by his brother-in-law, Jacob
Marty, located on section 9. The following fall he bought sixty acres on
section 28, where he built a log house, into which he moved the next spring.
He improved this place, purchased more land, and in 1868, erected a frame
house. He was married to Magdaline Marty, also a native of Switzerland.
They were blessed with nine children, seven of whom are now living--Magdaline,
John, Ursula, Euphemia, Anton, Anna and Jacob. Mrs. Baumgartner died in
1877, and soon after, Mr. Baumgartner went to live with his children. He
lives at present with his son-in-law, John Jenny, in Mount Pleasant. Their
son, Anton Baumgartner, was born in the canton of Glarus, Switzerland,
in January, 1847, and was very young when his parents came to America.
He grew to manhood in the town of Washington, and was educated in the district
school. In August, 1869, he was married to Mary E. Clayton, and after marriage,
remained on the homestead four years. He then bought his present farm on
section 26. He has built a good frame house and other buildings. They have
five

children—Arthur, Henry, Clinton,
Weltha and Bessie.Jacob Baumgartner. youngest son
of Anton and Magdalina Baumgartner, was born in the town of Washington,
April 13, 1854. He obtained his education in the public school, and in
1878 was married to Libbie Clayton, a native of Washington. He then settled
on the old homestead where he now resides. Mr. and Mrs. Baumgartner have
two children—Winnie and Willie.Andrew Jackson Smith was born in
Newark, Licking Co., Ohio, Dec.18, 1828. His parents, Jabez and Earlis
(Standley) Smith, were natives of Massachusetts. Jabez Smith was a soldier
in the War of 1812, was wounded in battle and drew a pension. Earlis Smith
died at Newark, and Jabez Smith, died near Marengo, Ill., in 1861. In 1848,
Andrew J. came to Wisconsin with his father and settled in the town of
Jordan. March 30, 1849, he was married to Elizabeth Ellis. In 1855, they
went to Richland county and settled in the town of Henrietta where they
lived five years, then came back to the town of Jordan, where he died Jan.
6, 1862. There were seven children born to them—Richard A., Jabez N., Mary
A., Earlis, Ella, Earl S., and Jessie, of whom Richard, Mary and Ella,
only are now living. Mr. Smith was a member of the Wesleyan Methodist Church.Richard A. Smith, son of Andrew
J. and Mary (Ellis) Smith, pioneers of Green county, was born in the town
of Jordan, Green Co., Wis., Jan. 25, 1850. He was twelve years old when
his father died, leaving his mother with three children, of whom Richard
was the eldest. He assisted his mother in supporting the family, working
at farming in the neighborhood, for which he received, at first, $5 per
month. His wages were increased gradually, until he received $18 per month.
In 1872, he went to Iowa, and rented land, where he put in a crop which,
after harvesting, he returned to Green county. In the fall of that year,
he was

part ofp. 1137

Anton
Baumgartner, a pioneer of 1848, was born in the canton of Glarus, Switzerland,
in November, 1812. There he was reared to agricultural pursuits.
When a young man he learned the blacksmith trade, which he followed in
his native country until 1848. He made the voyage to America in a
sailing vessel, landed at New Orleans and proceeded up the Mississippi
river to Galena, where he hired a team with which to complete the journey
to Green county. He settled in the town of Washington, moving into
a log house owned by his brother-in-law, Jacob Marty, located in
section 9. The following fall he bought sixty acres on section 28,
where he built a log house into which he moved the next spring. He
improved this place, purchased more land, and in 1868, erected a frame
house. He was married to Magdaline Marty, also a native of
Switzerland. They were blessed with nine children, seven of whom
are now living--Magdaline, John, Ursula, Euphemia, Anton, Anna,
and Jacob. Mrs. Baumgartner died in 1877, and soon after,
Mr. Baumgartner went to live with his children. He lives at present
with his son-in-law, John Jenny, in Mount Pleasant. Their
son, Anton Baumgartner, was born in the canton of Glarus, Switzerland,
in January, 1847, and was very young when his parents came to America.
He grew to manhood in the town of Washington, and was educated in the district
school. In August, 1869, he was married to Mary E. Clayton,
and after marriage, remained on the homestead four years. He then
bought his present farm on section 26. He has built a good frame
house and other buildings. They have five children--Arthur, Henry,
Clinton, Weltha and Bessie.

Jacob
Baumgartner, youngest son of Anton and Magdalina Baumgartner,
was born on the town of Washington, April 13, 1854. He obtained his
education in the public school, and in 1878 was married to Libbie Clayton,
a native of Washington. He then settled on the old homestead where
he now resides. Mr. and Mrs. Baumgartner have two children--Winnie
and Willie.

p. 1138

married to Mary, daughter of Jacob
and Eliza (James) Hammond, of Green county. Soon after marriage, they went
to Iowa and lived two years, then came back to this county and rented land
until 1883, when he bought his present farm on sections 23 and 26, of Washington.
They have two children—Charlie and Roscoe.David Benkert, was born in the canton
of Bern, Switzerland, March 1, 1820. He was reared to agricultural pursuits,
and in his youth, worked with his father, who was a tanner. He afterwards
engaged in the same business for himself. In 1851 he left his native country
and came to America, landing at New York city and coming directly west
to Green Co., Wis. He arrived on the 5th of June, and immediately engaged
in farming in Monroe, receiving for his services, $12 per month. In 1852
he rented a farm which he carried on two years, then came to Washington,
and bought a farm on section 22, upon which was a log cabin, and a few
acres broken. Since that time he has improved and cleared a farm, and built
a good frame house. He still makes this his home. In 1882, he bought another
farm on the same section. He was married in 1843 to Catharina Kung, who
was born in the canton of Bern. They have five children living—Mary, David,
John, Jacob and Fred. Their sons, Jacob and Fred, are now engaged in mercantile
trade in Albany. Jacob was born in the town of Washington, Dec. 25, 1857.
He spent his early life on his father’s farm, and obtained his education
in the district school. When eighteen years of age he engaged as clerk
in a dry goods store. In 1879, he began mercantile trade at Monticello.
He continued in business there until 1881 when he closed his store, and
moved his goods to Albany, where he established a good trade. The fire
of November, 1883, destroyed his entire property, but in December, 1883,
he resumed business in company with his brother, Fred. They carry a large
stock of clothing and gentleman’s furnishing goods with a tailor shop in

connection. He was married in 1881
to Jennie Patterson, of Monroe, Wis.Jacob zum Brunnen, Sr., was born
in the canton of Bern, Switzerland, Nov. 2, 1802. When a young man be learned
the tailor’s trade, which business he followed until eighteen years of
age. He then engaged in making hemp ropes, worked at that business for
fifteen years. He worked at the pottery business for two years. The clay
not being good, he lost money in the enterprise. He then engaged in the
manufacture of ropes, and also opened a dry goods and grocery store. In
1845 he purchased some land and engaged in stock raising. In 1852 he sold
out his business and emigrated to the United States with his family, which
consisted of. his wife and six children. They crossed the ocean on a sail
vessel, being twenty-two days making the trip. They landed at New York,
and came to Green county at once, arriving here on the 16th of October.
He clerked in Monroe for six months, and in the spring of 1853 purchased
some land on section 28, town of Washington. He lived there until 1867,
when he removed to section 34, where he had purchased land the year previous.
He erected a large frame house and barn, and resided there until the time
of his death, which occurred May 20, 1869. His widow died Feb. 4, 1879.
They had six children, three of whom are living—Jacob, Gottleib and Martin.
John, the second child was born in Switzerland in August, 1836, and died
Jan. 15, 1870; Catharine, the only daughter, was born Jan. 20, 1838, and
died in October, 1873, and Bartholomew, the youngest child, was born June
16, 1842, and died Jan. 5, 1870.Martin zum Brunnen was born Dec.
28, 1840, in Switzerland. In 1852 his parents came to America. He made
his home with his parents until their death. He was married in April, 1878,
to Euphemia Marty, born in the town of Mount Pleasant. They have one child—Bartholomew.
Mr. zum Brunnen owns and occupies the farm his father purchased in 1866,
on

part of1138 - 1139

Jacob
zum Brunnen, Sr., was born in the canton of Bern, Switzerland, Nov.
2, 1802. When a young man he learned the tailor’s trade, which business
he followed until eighteen years of age. He then engaged in making hemp
ropes, worked at that business for fifteen years. He worked at the pottery
business for two years. The clay not being good, he lost money in the enterprise.
He then engaged in the manufacture of ropes, and also opened a dry goods
and grocery store. in 1845 he purchased some land and engaged in stock
raising. In 1852, he sold out his business and emigrated to the United
States with his family, which consisted of his wife and six children. They
crossed the ocean on a sail vessel, being twenty-two days making the trip.
They landed at New York, and came to Green county at once, arriving here
on the 16th of October. He clerked in Monroe for six months, and in the
spring of 1853 purchased some land on section 28, town of Washington. He
lived there until 1867, when he removed to section 34, where he had purchased
land the year previous. He erected a large frame house and barn, and resided
there until the time of his death, which occurred May 20, 1869. His widow
died Feb. 4, 1879. They had six children, three of whom are living - Jacob,
Gotlieb and Martin. John, the second child was born in Switzerland
in August, 1836, and died Jan. 15, 1870; Catherine, the only daughter,
was born Jan. 20, 1838, and died in October, 1873, and Bartholomew,
the younest child, was born June 16, 1842, and died Jan. 5, 1870.

Martin
zum Brunnen was born Dec.28, 1840 in Switzerland. In 1852 his parents
came to America. He made his home with his parents until their death. He
was married in April, 1878, to Euphemia Marty, born in the town
of Mount Pleasant. They have one child - Bartholomew. Mr. zum
Brunnen owns and occupies the farm his father purchased in 1866, on
section 34. He has, altogether, on ections 19, 21, 27,33 and 34, 480 acres
of land. Sixty acres of this is timber land. He keeps seventy milch cows,
and makes the milk into cheese. His father commenced cheese-making in 1856,
with the milk from twelve cows, and continued in the business until his
death.

Jacob
zum Brunnen, Jr., oldest son of Jacob and Susanna (Sigrist)
zum Brunnen, was born in the canton of Bern, Switzerland, Dec. 12,
1830. He received his education in the public schools of his native-country.
In his youth he assited his father in making ropes, and after his father
purchased a farm, devoted his time to agricultural pursuits. He came with
his parents to America in October, 1852, and in 1853 engaged with a carpenter
and joiner at Monroe, for one year, to learn the trade at which he worked,
after the first year in connection with farming, until 1857. Upon the 29th
of April, of that year, he was married to Susanna Frautschy, who
was born in the canton of Bern, July 22, 1836. He then settled in New Glarus
and worked a few months at his trade, after which he moved to his father’s
place, and in company with his father and brother, carried on the farm
until 1861. In the fall of that year he settled on his present farm on
section 28, in the town of Washington. He erected a log house, to which
he has since made a frame addition; and also erected a frame barn, 38x44
feet. He is the owner of 305 acres of land. He keeps a dairy and sells
milk. Mr. and Mrs. zum Brunnen have nine children living - Jacob,
John, Gotlieb, Emma, Emil, Edward, Mary Susanna, Louise Helena, Clara Lidia.
Mr. zum Brunnen and wife are members of the Lutheran Church. Mr.
zum Brunnen’s father and mother are dead.

p. 1139

section 34. He has altogether, on
sections 19, 21, 27, 33 and 34, 480 acres of land. Sixty acres of this
is timber land. He keeps seventy milch cows, and makes the milk into cheese.
His father commenced cheese-making in 1856, with the milk from twelve cows,
and continued in the business until his death.Jacob zum Brunnen, Jr., oldest son
of Jacob and Susanna (Sigrist) zum Brunnen, was born in the canton of Bern,
Switzerland, Dec. 12, 1830. He received his education in the public schools
of his native country. In his youth he assisted his father in making ropes,
and after his father purchased a farm, devoted his time to agricultural
pursuits. He came with his parents to America in October, 1852, and in
1853 engaged with a carpenter and joiner at Monroe, for one year, to learn
the trade at which he worked, after the first year in connection with farming,
until 1857. Upon the 29th of April, of that year, he was married to Susanna
Frautschy, who was born in the canton of Bern, July 22, 1836. He then settled
in New Glarus and worked a few months at his trade, after which he moved
to his father’s place, and in company with his father and brother, carried
on the farm until 1861. In the fall of that year he settled on his present
farm on section 28, in the town of Washington. He erected a log house,
to which he has since made a frame addition; and also erected a frame barn,
38x44 feet. He is the owner of 305 acres of land. He keeps a dairy and
sells milk. Mr. and Mrs. zum Brunnen have nine children living—Jacob, John,
Gotleib, Emma, Emil, Edward, Mary Susanna, Louise Helena, Clara Lidia.
Mr. zum Brunnen and wife are members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. zum Brunnen’s
father and mother are dead.Linus Hare was born in Onondaga
Co., N. Y., in September, 1812. He obtained his education in the common
schools. When fifteen years of age he engaged with a blacksmith to learn
the trade, which he followed a few years, then went to Salina, where he
was employed as foreman in a lumber yard until 1852. He went to Michigan,
in

that year, and located in St. Joseph
county, where he purchased a farm, which, in the spring of 1854, he sold,
and came to Green Co., Wis. He bought a farm in the town of Sylvester,
where he soon became prominent in public affairs, and filled many offices
of trust, in the town. He was elected in the fall of 1880, to the office
of county treasurer, and re-elected in 1882. At the time of his first election
to that office, he moved to Monroe, where he died, Feb. 1, 1883. He was
twice married, first to Ora Spencer, who died a few years after marriage,
leaving three children, only one of whom is now living—Helen, who is married
and lives in Syracuse. His second wife was Clarinda Hill, and by this union
there were nine children, five of whom are now living—Henrietta, Alvah
E., Lucy, Mary and Hester. Alvah E. was born in Salina, Onondaga Co., N.
Y., Oct. 8, 1844, and came with his parents to Green county, where he grew
to manhood in the town of Sylvester. He enlisted April 24, 1864, for 100
days, in company A, of the 40th Wisconsin regiment, and went to Memphis,
Tenn., and was present when Forrest made his attack upon that city. He
served five months, and was discharged with the regiment and returned home.
He was married Nov. 13, 1866, to Sarah Hammond, a daughter of Jacob and
Eliza (James) Hammond, pioneers of Green county. Mr. and Mrs. Hare settled
in Albany at the time of their marriage, and remained one year, then moved
to Mount Pleasant and rented a farm three years. He then moved into the
village of Monticello, and kept the Monticello House two and a half years.
He then resumed farming. In 1876 he bought a farm on section 26, of Washington,
where he has erected a good frame house, and is engaged in raising stock
and grain. They have two children—Myrtie and Linus.Eldridge W. Chesebro was born in
Knox, Albany Co., N. Y., March 14, 1822. His early life was spent in his
native county, where he attended the district school, and afterwards, three
terms at Knoxville Academy. He was

p. 1140

married in March, 1850, to Elmina
Ketcham, also a native of Knox, Albany county. He bought a small farm in
his native town and lived there until 1854, then sold his farm and came
to Wisconsin. He lived in Walworth county one year, then settled in Mount
Pleasant, Green county, where he purchased a farm in company with his father,
on section 26. Two years later he sold his interest and bought a farm on
the same section, upon which was a log house and a straw stable, and fifty
acres broken. He lived upon this farm four years, then removed to an adjoining
farm which he had purchased, living there until 1868, when he came to Washington
and bought his present farm on section 25, where he has since resided.
Mr. and Mrs. Chesebro are the parents of seven children—Milton, Simmons,
Oscar, Allen, Sarah, Edwin and Eldridge. Mr. Chesebro enlisted Feb. 22,
1865, in the 49th Wisconsin regiment, company G, and went to Missouri where
he was stationed on guard duty. He was detached from the regiment a part
of the time. He was discharged at Benton Barracks, Nov. 8, 1865.Argalus Loveland came to Green county
in 1854. He was born in Smithfield, Madison Co., N. Y., May 5, 1814. When
he was three years old his parents moved to Springfield, Erie Co., Penn.,
where they lived until 1 828, then moved to Salem, Mercer county, of the
same State. He remained with his parents until twenty-one years of age,
then went to Orleans Co., N. Y., where he was employed in farming during
the summer and chopping wood in the winter. He staid there a year, then
returned to his home in Mercer Co., Penn., remained a few weeks, then went
to Michigan, where he stopped a short time and returned to Cleveland, Ohio,
and went to work in a stone quarry, five miles east of the city. A few
months later he went to Warrensville, near Cleveland, and commenced learning
the carpenter trade. Some time later he returned to Cleveland and worked
at his trade until 1837, when he went back to Mercer county and took an
interest in his father’s farm. He was married in

that county, Oct. 11, 1838, to Jane
Orwick, who was born near Coshocton, Ohio. The following spring he bought
land two miles from his father’s place, upon which he lived until 1853,
then sold and went to Pavilion, Kendall Co., Ill., and remained one year,
then came to Green county. He bought a farm of William Tucker on sections
22 and 23 of the town of Washington. There were fourteen acres of the land
fenced and broken, and a log house was standing upon the place. He now
has the land all improved and fenced, and has erected a large frame house,
doing the work himself. Mr. and Mrs. Loveland have nine children living—Franklin,
Orrilla, Jane A., Eminah, Temperance, William A., Edwin A., Alfred E. and
Silas E. Harrison, the second son, was born in Mercer Co., Penn., June
25, 1841, and made his home with his parents until 1863. In the summer
of that year he went to Monroe and engaged in a marble shop, to learn the
trade, but soon after enlisted in the 1st Wisconsin Heavy Artillery, and
went to Louisiana. In the summer of 1864 he was taken sick at Brazier City
and sent to the hospital at New Orleans, where he partially recovered,
and with 200 others, started for New York on the steamer North America
which, during a storm, sprung a leak and sunk. Nearly all on board perished,
Harrison among the number. Mr. Loveland is the present town treasurer,
which office he has filled for seven consecutive years. He has also been
chairman of the board, a member of the side board, assessor and town clerk.
He is a member of the Seventh Day Advent Church at Monroe. He is politically
a republican, and has been elected to office in a town where his party
is largely in the minority.Frank Loveland enlisted April 22,
1861, at the first call for troops, in company C, of the 3d Wisconsin Volunteer
Infantry, and joined the Army of the Potomac. He participated in the following
battles: Bolivar Heights, Winchester, Cedar Mountain, second battle of
Bull Run and Antietam, where he was wounded and

p. 1141

sent to the hospital, and remained
four months, then joined the command opposite Fredericksburg, in January,
1863. He afterwards participated in the battles of Chancellorsville, Germania
Ford and Gettysburg. In the fall of 1863, he joined the western army. He
veteranized December 23, of that year, and went with Sherman on his march
to the sea, and to Raleigh, N. C., taking part in most of the more important
battles of that campaign. He was taken sick at Raleigh, but again joined
the regiment at Alexandria, in June, 1865. He was mustered out in Kentucky
in July, 1865, and returned home. He was born in Mercer Co., Penn., July
30, 1839, and came to Wisconsin with his parents with whom he remained
until the time of his enlistment. He was married June 20, 1874, to Maria
Lemon, a native of Green county. He then settled on his present farm on
section 15, which he had purchased some years previously. He has improved
the land and erected a good frame house and barn. Mr. and Mrs. Loveland
have four children—Otto, William, Franklin and Ada.Joshua Moore came to Green county
in 1854, and bought eighty acres of land on section 36, of the town of
Washington. There was a stone house upon the place and all the land was
improved and under fence. In 1867 he sold this place and bought 120 acres
of land on sections 14 and 15, forty of which was improved. A log house
was standing upon the southwest quarter of section 14, into which he moved.
He has since purchased more land and erected a good frame house in which
he now lives. He was born in Guilford Co., N. C., March 15, 1799. He was
reared in his native county, to agricultural pursuits. In 1822 he went
to Tennessee and located in Roane county, where he engaged with a saddler
and harness maker, to learn the trade. He served six months, then engaged
in the same business for himself. He was married in Tennessee, in December,
1823, to Hepsey Ann Childres, who was born in Anson Co., N. C., Nov. 12,
1804. A short before his marriage he

bought a piece of timber land and
built a log house, in which they began house keeping. It was furnished
with home-made furniture. In 1830 he bought 100 acres, opened a tan yard
and then in 1837 sold his place and went to Indiana, and entered 400 acres
of land in Davis county. He remained there but a short time, however, and
returned in 1838 to Tennessee. The man to whom be had sold his Tennessee
farm, for $1,000, failed to pay for it, and he had to start anew. He had
$100 and he bought a piece of land on credit, built a log house and put
in a tan yard. He afterwards built a good frame house, and lived at Post
Oak Springs until 1854, when he again went to Indiana and remained one
year, then came to Green county. Mr. and Mrs. Moore have had three children—Mary
R., John C. and Thomas. Mary R. is the widow of Jacob Berkey; Thomas is
dead; John C. is a farmer and lives in Washington.James Confer, class leader of the
Centre M. E. Church, in the town of Washington, was born in Centre Co.,
Penn., Jan. 10, 1821. There he grew to manhood, obtaining his education
in the public schools. At the age of eighteen years he commenced working
in a tannery, which occupation he continued eight years. He was married
Feb. 20, 1845, to Mary E. Ziebuch, who was born in Union Co., Penn., Sept.
3, 1824. In 1847 they removed to Illinois and located in Winnebago county,
purchasing land in Harlem township, where he built a stone house and improved
a farm. He resided there until 1854, then sold his farm and came to Green
Co., Wis. He purchased unimproved land on section 34, of the town of Washington,
on which he built a log house. A few years later he erected the frame house
in which he now lives. Mr. and Mrs. Confer are the parents of four children—John
W., who is a farmer, and lives in Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa; Francis M., a
practicing physician at Monroe; Jacob S., a farmer, living at Monticello,
and James K, who resides at home with his parents.

p. 1142

Melschior Schlittler came to Green
county in 1858, and settled in the town of New Glarus. He was a single
man at that time, and worked at farming. For his work the first year he
received $100. In 1862 he purchased land on section 12, town of Washington.
There was a log house on the place, in which he lived. He was married in
July, 1867, to Elsbeth Zweifel, born in Switzerland. They have six children—Bertha,
Emma, Albert, Lena, Mina and Amelia. In 1867 he rented a farm on sections
1 and 12, and the next year sold a part of his old farm and bought the
one he had rented, and which he now occupies. He has 191 acres in the towns
of Washington and New Glarus, and 200 acres in the town of Exeter. lie
has a large frame house and good barns, also granaries and other out houses.John G. Bidlingmaier came to Washington
in 1861, and purchased land on section 30, which consisted of sixty-seven
acres, twenty acres of which were broken. A log cabin had been erected
upon the land. He soon after purchased 133 acres of adjoining land. He
was born in Wurttemberg, Germany, in 1814, where he was reared upon a farm.
He was married to Annie Woerner, and in 1851 they came to America, and
settled in Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, where he was employed in farming three
years. He then rented a farm until 1861. Four children were born to Mr.
and Mrs. Bidlingmaier, only one of whom is now living-Michael, who was
born in Germany, Dec. 3, 1843, and was seven years old when he came to
America. He was married in 1877 to Ann Mary, daughter of Christian and
Verena (Buenker) Iseli. She was born in Ohio. They settled at the time
of their marriage upon the homestead, where they still reside. They have
three children—John G., Christian A. and Lydia Verena.Christian Iseli came to this county
in 1861, and bought wild land on section 30, of the town of Washington,
all of which was timber and grub land. lie has since cleared and fenced
about 100 acres. He was born in the canton of Bern,

Switzerland, July 4, 1828. His father
was a gunsmith by trade, and also owned a small farm. The subject of this
sketch assisted his father on the farm and in the shop until 1846, when
he left his native land, and came to the United States. He first stopped
in Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, and engaged in mining four months. He then ran
an engine at the iron ore furnace five years, after which he was engaged
as engineer in different places for three years, then was again employed
at the mines, doing outside work until 1861. He was married in 1857 to
Verena Buenker, a native of Switzerland. They have had fourteen children,
thirteen of whom are now living—Samuel, Ann Mary, Verena, John, Jacob,
Rosina, Elizabeth, Louisa, Maggie, Henry, George, Wilhelm D. and Annie
B., twins. Annie, the ninth child, died in 1880, aged seven years and six
months. The family are members of the German Evangelical Reformed Church,
of which Mr. Iseli was one of the first trustees, and is the superintendent
of the Sabbath school.John Norton came to Green county
in March, 1865, and worked at farming for James Barney. In 1867 he bought
100 acres of land on section 24, of the town of Washington. He improved
this land, and at the same time, worked Mr. Barney’s farm on shares. In
1877 he removed to his own land. He lived upon this place until 1881 when
he bought a farm on section 25, of the same town, where he has built a
large frame house and a barn 36x70 feet, with twenty foot posts and having
a stone basement. He owns 402 acres of land, the greater part of which
is improved and under fence. He keeps a dairy of forty cows. Mr. Norton
was born in county Limerick, Ireland, May 10, 1825. He was there reared
upon a farm and educated in the common schools. In 1848 he left Ireland
and came to America, landing at Philadelphia. He remained in that city
three months, then went to Berks county, where he lived till 1851. He then
removed to Ohio and located in Lake county where he rented a farm and remained

p. 1143

till 1865, when, as before stated,
he came to Green county. He was married in 1854 to Mary Codde, who was
born in county Wexford, Ireland. They have eight children—Michael, Frank,
George, John, Robert, James, Ella and Mary V.John Bass came to Green county in
1874, and engaged in cheese making, in the town of Washington. In 1881
he bought the Fessenden farm, located on sections 23, 24 and 25. Here he
built a large barn with a stone basement and enlarged the frame house he
now occupies. He is still engaged in the manufacture of cheese, using at
the present time the milk of 130 cows. He also has a factory in Dane county.
He manufacturers Limburger and brick cheese. He was born in the canton
of Bern in Switzerland, June 6, 1836. He

learned the art of cheese making
when a boy, and when seventeen years old went to France, where he was engaged
in that occupation. In 1856 he left that country and came to America, locating
in New Jersey, where be lived one year. He then went to New York and engaged
in making cheese in Oneida county, remaining there the greater part of
the time till 1870 when he came to Wisconsin and located at Watertown where
he started two cheese factories, which he sold in 1874, and as before stated,
came to Green county. He was married in 1 874 to Louisa Weismiller, daughter
of Jacob and Elizabeth Weismiller, pioneers of Green county. Mr. and Mrs.
Bass have three children—John, Bertha and one not yet named.